My Baby Shower

This past Saturday was such an amazing day that I will never forget...

my baby shower!  

A celebration of life and these miracles of God...

A gathering of many of my dear friends and family...

An overwhelmingly beautiful display of my friends' talents and love...

Such a sweet time.

I seriously woke up the next day and it all felt like a dream.

Everything was perfect!  They did a theme of "woodland creatures", which was just darling.

There were so many thoughtful details and touches; I was in love. 

I started to cry as I walked through Joy's house.  

This was all for me and my babies!  I was humbled.

Three dear friends were in from Boston, my sister Victoria was there from Houston, many of my coworkers came, and lots of church friends and family friends.

We were spoiled with all the gifts and love.

I was bummed that I had to sit the whole time because I was put back on strict bedrest the day before, but I still got to chat with people and took it all in from the arm chair :)

baby pictures of Andy and me

They printed out many of our maternity photos and decorated with them!  So thoughtful.

favors:  peanuts--"Thanks for celebrating Emily's little peanuts!"

My favorite part as you walked up to the house...  I'm going to hang it in the boys' room somewhere!

such a fun drink table

mozzarella stick & tomato "mushrooms"

Auntie and Marmie

Some of the lovely hostesses and also most of the Boston crew--old and current

It was an amazing day, and I'm so glad I have these photos to remember it all.  Thank you!!!

Now Andy and I are trying our best to organize, set up, and decorate.  It's tough being on bed rest because I really can't do much of anything.  I'm kind of resigned to the fact that the decor in the boys' room might come after they're born.  That's ok... a little disappointing, but oh well!  We finally got the cribs set up today.  Andy has been awesome.  He already does so much for work and then comes home and serves me faithfully.  Most of the time he even has a happy heart doing it :)  No, but really, he's working so hard, and I wish I could help.  The babies will be here before we know it!  Ahh!

Shower season!

In our church and group of friends, 

there are 5 people pregnant (all with due dates Oct. 31 through early March)

and one lovely lady getting married. 

The beginning of August kicked of a couple months-long shower season!

It has been great fun to plan and envision and create

great parties to celebrate these wonderful women

and new babies (and marriages) about to be birthed.

"Thanks" to pinterest, showers these days are a little more labor intensive (no pun intended!)...

but so fun to pull off.

Here are some pictures from Morgan's shower...

Olivia Elizabeth is due October 31st!

we made cute flags for the paper straws

Joy has churned out over twenty of these poufs over the past 2 months!

pretty in pink

Next up was Shelly's baby shower...

Elias Alexander is due November 15th (I think)!

Most of the showers are at Joy's house, so it was fun to host this one!

Made a cute blessing board that is now hung in his nursery!

lots of yummy food

awesome bunting banner made by none other than Crystal Peach!

more poufs

Shelly's About to Pop!  popcorn favors

praying blessings over Mommy and baby

This weekend we celebrated our dear Canela 

as she prepares to become Reed Hoffman's WIFE

in 3 weeks!

I can't say enough about Canela. I love her so much, and I've only become better friends with her

over the past couple of years.

She is a servant with a heart of gold.

She loves and carries people in her heart well.

She puts everyone else first.

She is gorgeous and has a great laugh.

She is real and honest and loves Jesus intimately and authentically.

She has waited many years for her Reed to come, and he has.

They are such a fun, servant-hearted, sweet couple.

Andy and I love them so!  

Joy waited on the Lord for the theme of this shower, and He gave her this:

"Canela has "fall"en in love!"

Canela loves the fall (don't we all, Bostonians?), so this was perfect.

Here are the pics:

a lovely table setting

The Beautiful Bride

"I'll have some bacon, thank you very much!"

Ah yes, the preggos.  Due: March 2013, Nov. 13th,  Nov. 15th,  Nov. 24th, Oct. 31st

A Boston friend!  Morgan Teague is in town from Texas!

Rebekah, "leaf"ing a blessing for Canela.  (We tied the scrapbook leaves onto branches. Pinterest!)

Little jars of whole cloves, whole allspice, dried orange peels, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks.  To simmer on the stove and fill your home with wonderful fragrances! 

Boston ladies!  (l-r) Me, Kristen, Canela, Joy, Karissa (baby), Morgan, Crystal, and Shelly

I love serving with these women!  One more shower to go next Saturday for Whitney and Caleb-- 

Bentlee June is due in November.